Clamping device for phonograph records and the like



Feb. 2, 1932. M|LL$ 1,843,140

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR PHONOGRAPH RECORDS AND THE LIKE Filed March 10, 1930 Patented Feb. 2, 1932 emu STATES PATENT oFFici:

BERT E. MILLS, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MILLS NOVELTY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS GLAMIPING DEVICE FOR PI-IONOGRAPI-I RECORDS AND THE LIKE Application filed March 10, 1930. Serial No. 434,793.

This invention relates to a novel type of clamping device particularly adapted for securing a phonograph record to a revolving base.

An object of the invention is to provide a clamp of this class which permits of easy removal of the record, and which in the clamped position will firmly hold the record on the base without danger of slipping.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an embodiment of the clamp as applied to a preferred type of record supporting base. It will be obvious, however, that the construction of the supporting base is largely a matter of adapting the clamp to the particular type of machine under consideration.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a phonograph record support having a record secured thereon by means of the novel clamping device; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section, partially broken, through the clamping device and the associated record supporting base.

In the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the record support which is provided centrally with an aperture for receiving a spindle supporting sleeve 11, said sleeve being threaded as indicated at 12 to receive a clamping ring 13 which affords a clamp for holding the sleeve 11 firmly against the record support 10. The sleeve 11 is provided centrally with a bore for receiving a record supporting spindle 14, to the upper end of which is secured the record clamping device indicated generally by the numeral 15. The spindle 14 is mounted for free rotation in the sleeve 11, the enlarged hub portion 16 of said spindle being tapered, said tapered portion extending downwardly into the enlarged upper end of the sleeve 11. Suitable bearings 17 are interposed between the tapered face of the hub portion and a race 18 which is fitted into the upper end of the sleeve 11. The lower end of the spindle 14 carries a threaded stud 19 which projects below the lower end of the sleeve 11 to engage a lock nut 20. A collar 21 is interposed between the lock nut 20 and the lower edge of the sleeve 11. The record supporting spindle 14 is thus mounted for free rotation in the record support 10 and may be readily removed therefrom when any of the parts may require replacement.

The hub portion 16 of the spindle 14 carries the record supporting plate 22 which is reinforced near the center by a pair of brace plates 23 and 24. The plates 22, 23 and 24 are rigidly held in place by swaging the upper end of the hub portion 16 to provide a retaining flange as indicated at 25. The outer portion of the record supporting plate 22 may be stamped to provide upwardly projecting ridges 9 for supporting the lower face of a felt pad 26 which engages the lower face of the record 27 The head end of the spindle 14 extends through the central aperture in the record 27 and serves to center the record on the record supporting plate 22.

The clamp 15 which holds the record 27 on the record supporting plate 22 comprises a toggle or look clip 28 which is provided with a longitudinal slot 29; a pin 30 secured at its opposite ends in cars 31 projecting from the head end of the spindle 14; and a spring-pressed button 32 which is freely movable in a bore extending centrally through the head end of the spindle 14.

The spring-pressed button 32 is forced upwardly against the clip 28 by a coil spring 33, theupper end of which engages the lower end of the button 32. In the clamped position, indicated by the solid lines in Fig. 2, the button 32 presses upwardly against the bottom edge of the clip 28 and exerts a considerable force against the clip to hold it in clamped position. In this position the clip projects considerably beyond the edges of the central aperture in the record 27 and prevents removal of the record. The clip 28 may be shifted to the releasing position, indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, by shifting the clip to the left, viewing Fig. 2, till the end of the slot 29 engages the pin 80, whereupon the clip may be pivoted into the vertical releasing position. One end of the clip 28 is provided with a semi-circular notch 34 which, in the vertical position of the clip, engages the upper end of the button 32 and which the device may be -used to advantage in removably securing a disc or plate to a moving base.

. The foregoing detailed description has. been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, but the'append'ed claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in View of the prior art.

What I regardv as newand deslre to secure by Letters Patentis:

1. A clamp for removably securing a pliono 'ra h record to a turntable support comprising, a spindle having a head portion adapted to extend through an aperture in the record, and a lock clip having pivotal and sliding connection with said head portion, said clip having a length somewhat greater than the width ofsaid aperture, the breadth of said clip being less than the width of'said aperture, and means comprising a springpressedbutton carried in the spindle for en gaging said clip to hold the latter in desired position of adjustment on said spindle.

, 2. A clamp for removably' securing a phonograph record to aturntable support comprising, a spindle having a head portion adapted to extend through an'aperture in the record, a lock clip having pivotal and sliding connection with said head portion, and means comprising a spring-pressed button carried in the spindle for engaging said clip to hold the latter in desired position of adjustment on said spindle, said clip being provided at one end with a recess for engaging said button to form with the latter a latch for holding the "clip in position to allow removal and replace ment of the record.

3.. A clamp for removably securing a phonograph record to a turntable support comprising, a spindle having a head portion adapted to extend through an aperture in the record, spaced ears carried, on said head portion, a pin extending between said ears, a lock clip provided longitudinally with a slot for receiving said pin, said clip having a length suflicient to bridge said aperture, and means comprising a spring-pressed button carried in the spindle for engaging said clip to hold the latter in desired position of adjustment on said spindle, said clip being pro-' vided at one end with a recess for engaging said button to form with the latter a latch for holding the clip in position to allow removal and replacement of the record. 7

4. In a phonograph record support, a base, a record-supporting spindle mounted for free rotation in said base, said spindle having a head portion adapted to extend through an aperture in the record, and a clamp for removably securing the record to said spindle comprising a lock clip having pivotal and sliding connection with said head portion,

said clip having a length somewhat greater than the width of said aperture, the breadth of said clip being less than the width of said aperture, and means comprising a springpressed button carried in the spindle for engaging said clip to hold-the latter in desired position of adjustment on said spindle, said clip being provided at one end with a recess for engaging said button to form with the latter a latch for holding the clip in position to allow removal and replacement of the record. A

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.v

BERT E. MILLS. 

